There's good news for shoppers today.
The Rotorua District Council is giving us free parking on Mondays in November.
Why? They're responding to calls from retailers to help stem the problem of dwindling numbers of shoppers in our CBD.
The trial, which is yet to be rubber stamped at an upcoming full council meeting, will see free parking in the city on Mondays November 5, 12, 19 and 26 for as long as you want.
Sounds great.
But how many of us stop ourselves from going to town because they don't want to fork out parking change?
I personally go to town because I want something from a certain shop. If I'm parking up and walking around, paying a few dollars' parking isn't going to put me off.
I also don't think a lack of parks in our city is a problem. Sometimes you have to drive around the block a few times, but mostly you get a park reasonably close.
My fear is central city workers will take the mickey out of the council's goodwill and park their cars all day in town, rather than on the outskirts and walk a few blocks to the office.
But let's not rubbish the trial just yet.
Our city centre is looking emptier by the day and anything that will encourage more shoppers to help our struggling businesses has got to be applauded.
Let's give the trial a shot.
There's time between now and the full council meeting to make a few tweaks. Put a time limit on the free parking (for instance two or three hours) to stop workers using them and look at extending the trial throughout Mondays in December also.
That way the council can really gauge if more Christmas shoppers are coming into the city centre in December because of free carparks.
What do you think?
Email editor@dailypost.co.nz, text DP then your message to 021 241 4568, or write to editor, PO Box 1442, Rotorua.
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